LEGO patented its iconic "binding brick" in 1958, but it wasn't until 2005 that the company introduced its first official chess set. This revelation was a surprise even to me, a LEGO enthusiast who spends much of my free time exploring and building with these beloved bricks. Why the delay? LEGO Chess seemed like an obvious choice to me – a perfect way to expand the brand's appeal to a broader audience.

However, in 2005, LEGO's primary focus was on children. It wasn't until 2007 that the company began to seriously cater to adult fans. Moreover, the concept of LEGO as a lifestyle brand, integrating brick-built items into everyday living spaces, didn't gain traction until around 2020. What we now see as standard in 2025 was groundbreaking when the first LEGO chess set was released in 2005, and it was even more unusual in the preceding decades when LEGO sets were mainly miniature playsets rather than representations of real-life objects.

Below is a detailed history of all LEGO Chess Sets, totaling 12 sets, including the only one still available for purchase in 2025. For more options, you can also explore our guide to the best overall chess sets.

All LEGO Chess Sets In Order of Release

1. Knights’ Kingdom Chess Set - Retired

Set: #851499
Release Date: 2005
Piece Count: 80
Dimensions: 13.5 inches long, 12.5 inches wide
Price: $49.99
The inaugural LEGO chess set was themed around the Knight's Kingdom, an extension of the LEGO Castle line. It featured two armies: the Shadow Knights, led by the evil sorcerer Vladek, and the Kingdom of Morcia, led by King Matthias. The set included 24 minifigures adorned with detailed armor and unique shields.

2. Vikings Chess Set - Retired

Set: #851861
Release Date: 2006
Piece Count: 60
Dimensions: 12.5 inches long, 12.5 inches wide
Price: $49.99
Similar to the previous year's Knight's Kingdom set, the Vikings set also featured 24 minifigures, this time sporting iconic horned Viking helmets and wielding spears and axes.

3. Castle Chess Set - Retired

Set: #852001
Release Date: 2007
Piece Count: 162
Dimensions: 13.5 inches long, 12.5 inches wide
Price: $49.99
This Castle-themed set was more generic than its Knight's Kingdom predecessor. It featured a battle between crown knights and an undead army of skeletons. The highlight was the Grim Reaper bishops, equipped with large scythes.

4. Giant Chess Set - Retired

Set: #852293
Release Date: 2008
Piece Count: 2292
Dimensions: 22.5 inches long, 25 inches wide
Price: $199.99
The largest and most elaborate LEGO chess set ever produced, the Giant Chess Set was a marvel. Its board measured two feet on each side and included four miniature builds representing the skeleton, troll, dwarf, and castle realms. The smooth, studless board gave it an elegant appearance, and the pieces were beautifully designed, with wizards as bishops, minifigures on horseback as knights, and fortified siege towers as rooks.

5. Pirates Chess Set - Retired

Set: #852751
Release Date: 2009
Piece Count: 126
Dimensions: 12.5 inches long, 12.5 inches wide
Price: $49.99
The first Pirates-themed set featured a battle between the Royal Navy and a crew of pirates. This set stood out for its variety, with each pirate pawn sporting a unique costume and accessory. The pirate knight, a curly-tailed monkey wielding a knife, added a touch of chaos to the set.

6. Multi Game Pack 9-in-1 - Retired

Set: #852676
Release Date: 2009
Piece Count: 81
Dimensions: 10 inches long, 6.5 inches wide
Price: $24.99
This compact set was designed for travel and included components to play nine classic board games: Ludo, Chess, Checkers, Solitaire, Backgammon, Fireman Hoses and Ladders, and three different cards for Travel Bingo.

7. Kingdoms Chess Set - Retired

Set: #853373
Release Date: 2012
Piece Count: 201
Dimensions: 13.5 inches long, 13.5 inches wide
Price: $49.99
This Castle-themed set depicted a battle between the Green Dragon and Red Lion armies. The minifigures were richly detailed, with the Red Lion knight being a highlight – a Jester with a big, cartoonish smile. The board was mounted on a unique baseplate with bastions in each corner, marking it as an early example of a LEGO set designed for display rather than play.

8. Pirates Chess Set #2 - Retired

Set: #40158
Release Date: 2015
Piece Count: 776
Dimensions: 21 inches long, 11 inches wide
Price: $59.99
The second Pirates-themed set featured an outdoor beach setting, with sand on one side and ocean on the other. It introduced a new board design with smooth squares and central studs, which was both more visually appealing and functional than previous baseplate designs.

9. Iconic Chess Set - Retired

Set: #40174
Release Date: 2017
Piece Count: 1450
Dimensions: 10 inches long, 10 inches wide
Price: $59.99
This set marked the first time LEGO released a chess set without thematic elements or minifigures, offering a traditional chess set with blocky pieces and storage space beneath the board. It remained on shelves for seven years, finally retiring at the end of 2022.

10. Steampunk Mini Chess - Retired

Set: #BL19013
Release Date: 2019
Piece Count: 372
Dimensions: 4 inches long, 4 inches wide
Price: $37.99
Designed by user CorvusA, this tiny set was a result of a collaboration between LEGO and the fan site BrickLink. It was part of the BrickLink AFOL (Adult Fans of LEGO) Designer Program, which launched 13 fan-designed sets in 2019.

11. Hogwarts Wizard’s Chess Set - Retired

Set: #76392
Release Date: 2021
Piece Count: 876
Dimensions: 10.5 inches long, 10.5 inches wide
Price: $59.99
This set recreated the iconic chess scene from "Harry Potter and the Sorcerer's Stone," where Harry, Hermione, and Ron faced the chess trial, and Ron sacrificed himself to checkmate the King. The LEGO Harry Potter set included three minifigures representing the "Trio."

12. Traditional Chess Set

Set: #40719
Release Date: 2024
Piece Count: 743
Dimensions: 12 inches long, 12 inches wide
Price: $74.99
We reviewed LEGO's most recent chess set upon its 2024 release, and it's the only one still available in stores. Its dark brown and beige squares evoke the look of polished wood, adding a classic touch. This set is simple, appealing, and functional – a departure from the more elaborate, less practical designs of the past.

Where to Buy Retired LEGO Chess Sets

Finding a retired LEGO set can be challenging, as most sets on this list are no longer in production. For retired sets, you'll need to turn to third-party sellers. Amazon may carry some at a premium, but your best options are platforms like eBay, Craigslist, and Facebook Marketplace. For more information on where to shop, see our guide to the best places to buy LEGO sets.